Christmas Books

We get this book out every Christmas and share our answers. Sometimes our answers change from year to year so we can continue to use the book for years to come and continue learning about one another, friends, family, children. In fact, I have had people request to borrow it for church lock ins and other family events.

and its really not just for Christmas time. I have grabbed this little volume many times and modified the questions for non-holiday (and also without solely using the 'Christmas' word out of respect for people outside my belief system.

I have used it in parties where I type the questions onto strips of paper and pass around a basket with each person pulling a question and then answering it... it never fails to get people thinking, creating connections with one another and otherwise seeing the holiday in a different light.

I have also used the questions to guide my own inquiry... especially when I (for whatever reason) don't have the desire to ask my own questions...for a busy entrepreneurial writer Mom, sometimes I take all the help I can, even if it means employing a simple book in the process!

Enjoy this one, refer to it regularly.

As a lover of Christmas and all things holiday, I cant recommend this book enough. It is ideal as a coffe table book that can be opened onto any page in no particular order, with questions that can be read at random or one after the other--which usually happens becuase the questions are so much fun. Its delightful to hear friends and family pull from thier memories, their traditions, perceptions, and beliefs about christmas, while you share your own. It is bound to leave you with a happy feeling, and an anticipation for the holiday. This small book accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do--It is a wonderful converstaion piece and I highly recommend it.

I found this book on my mom's coffee table and couldn't put it down. I would say I drove my family crazy, asking one question after another, but they enjoyed it as much as I did!

This book asks questions ranging from silly to serious - and though many of the questions don't ask you to explain your answers, invariably, explanations are offered. It really is a great "conversation piece."

Cute, spiral bound, wipe-off cook book with 3 plastic cookie cutters. No actual photos of the cookies you are making, most (not all) of the recipes do have art work showing the cookie. Why only 4 stars? The book is cute but not exceptional, your basic cookie recipes, not necessarily kid friendly. AND, be warned, the little tidbits of info and legends it gives you with the recipe might just spoil your little one's Christmas! "The legend of Santa Clause rose out of the story of St. Nicholas, a fourth century bishop from Myra..." and "Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was created for the American Montgomery Ward department store chain in Chicago..." - not what you want to read while making cookies for Santa!

This book has so much going for it: you can lay it flat because it's spiral bound, the pages wipe clean, it comes with its own cookie cutters, and the recipes are fun and creative. It would make a terrific gift for anyone on your Xmas list. I can't wait to get baking!

Thank you for the best children's recipe book I've seen in a long time. The recipes are easy to follow and so much fun with the set of cookie cutters included in the book. Kids will love the fun trivia about each recipe. I thought the spiral pages were a very practical addition to the book--you can spill flour and melted chocolate on the book, then wipe the pages off with a damp cloth and the book looks brand new! This book is a must-have on your holiday shopping list!!!

This book is a really fun cookbook with simple, easy-to-follow traditional and new Christmas cookie recipes, but it's also more than that. There are tips on cookie decorating, cookie gift-giving, cookie ornaments and gift tags. Interspersed with the recipes are short, easy to understand histories of Christmas wreaths, candy canes, Christmas cards, etc. Your kids will love this book.

Just in time for Christmas - a fun read that made me chuckle at the excesses of the dreaded season and even made me hopeful I can survive and maybe enjoy another one! Thank you Mr. Cox.

Was Ebenezer Scrooge right? Is Christmas "humbug" or a vast conspiracy of the media and globalized business to control the masses through consumption and debt? You will find all this and much more in Jim Cox's wonderfully human story of Everyman and his brother trying to rally like-minded people into an anti-Christmas revolution, but discovering the true spirit of the season along the way. The story runs the gamut of the hilarity of "National Lampoon's Christmas" to some serious thinking about spiritual experience that is more real than so-called reality. I highly recommend reading this book and giving as gifts to friends this Christmas. --W Dinteman, Stege, Denmark

A droll and unflinchingly honest portrayal of two brothers, "The Christmas Curmudgeon" by James Cox offers a sharp new perspective on the most beloved of holidays. These characters will challenge you to evaluate your perspective on the significance of Christmas and the expectations of gift-giving. Mr. Cox has managed to create a modern holiday classic. Ironically, this book will make the perfect stocking-stuffer for both the holiday addict and the Christmas curmudgeon in your life.

--Chris Master, author, Tiny Cracker Zoo: Stories from a Bent Boyhood in Pennsyltucky

This funny, ultimately heart-warming book skewers the overblown commercialism that has bloated the American holiday season. However, this story is far more than a satire of the nation's preoccupation with spending and consuming; in place of the materialism he decries, author James Cox offers a new, yet warmly familiar, vision of Christmas as a celebration of the spirit, not of the almighty dollar. In many ways, The Christmas Curmudgeon is The Christmas Carol for our times. The plot centers around the relationship between two adult brothers, Harry and Henry, and their increasing anti-Christmas sentiment as their families spend more and more in anticipation of the holiday season. Henry in particular concocts some wickedly funny schemes to counteract the commercialist celebration of Christmas, dragging the reluctant and more even-keel Harry into trouble with him. Their wives, alternately horrified and amused by their husbands' antics, their children, co-workers, and friends are all well-drawn, realistic characters who alternately goad and guide Harry and Henry to a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Christmas. The story is full of surprise and sparkles with great description and dialogue, ending with a nice twist that follows the underlying theme yet offers new food for thought. I recommend this story highly--it made me realize that my preferences for celebrating Christmas in a simpler way than our culture indicates are okay and may even help me discover the same enlightenment that came to Harry and Henry.

My teacher read this to our class when I was only 6-years-old, and I had to run out that weekend and purchase it for my very own book collection. Now, 12 years later, I still pull this book out all of the time to look at some of the most gorgeous illustrations to ever be printed in a children's book, and to read the story of the little Christmas Day Kitten. A must-have book for all, as the beauty of it will warm the heart of everyone in your family for years and years to come.

Erika Sorocco

This book is the epitamy of heartwarming. After all the sad, depressing things that happen in today's world, this book (and all of James Herriot's stories) makes you feel a lot better. Perfect for kids, this book will warm the souls of everyone.

Even though I haven't read this book since I was younger, I remember it as having a perfect happy ending. Even if you don't buy it, you should at least go to the library and check it out. You might like it enough to buy it anyways :)

This picture book, although written for children, can be enjoyed by people of all ages, especially cat lovers! James Harriot has a style of story-telling that draws you in and doesn't let you go until you've finished the story. This story is just a small sampling of the many wonderful vet stories that Harriot has to tell.

Not having been familiar with the work of James Herriot before this book, I was happily surprised when I read this to my little cat-loving daughter this christmas season. This is a touching story which brought us both to tears, but gave a joyful smile as we reached the end of the story. Truly a story to be shared with every child at christmas!

Creative projects for homemade Christmas decorations make this book a great gift.. If you can part with it!

This book has lovely ideas for decoarting using natural materials. I found many of the ideas could be done very inexpensively.

I bought this book for my neighbor and when it came I wanted to keep it! She had recently visited Williamsburg and came back with stories of how she loved the Christmas decorating and wanted to emulate things for her own home.
I've never been to Williamsburg myself, but this book was beautiful! The pictures were professional (I've seen books where they were not) and there were instructions on how to make the decor yourself. Well worth it! I will probaly get one for myself for next season!

Since I love boxwood growing in the yard and using the beautiful greens at Christmas, I found this book to be one of the most informative books I own about Christmas greens. The instructions on how to create many decorations for the inside and outside the home are very clear. The pictures are gorgeous. I have learned to make garlands, wreaths, centerpieces, swags, boxwood trees, and other lovely items. The book features many different types of greens to use for creating holiday decorations. I have taught many others how to make holiday decorations that are featured in this book.

Beautifully told and illustrated. This is a wonderful book for everyone on your Christmas list--young and old alike. Everyone will enjoy this sweet story!

Also recommended: Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voicesby John Allen--a parable of how lives are blessed through anonymous acts of kindness--wonderful!

Also recommended:Christmas Jarsby Jason Wright--another wonderful book!

A Christmas Dress for Ellen is a heartwarming story of the faith of a mother living in abject poverty. It is also a story of the goodness of many, many people. It's a story of a Christmas Miracle. Best of all, it's a true story of real people with real faith! Although written as a children's book, it's a great story for children of all ages... even those of us who are a "little" beyond childhood. I bought two copies; one for my family and one for a friend.

This book is so beautifully told and illustrated. The true spirit of Christmas is felt from reading this...and it is a true story with a happy ending! I keep giving my own copy away to friends and have to buy more! (All my friends love the book as well.) My 3 and 5 year old like to listen to it, too!

This is a wonderful Christmas story that the whole family will enjoy, told in Elder Monson's typical warm-hearted manner. A must for Christmas--the real meaning of Christmas.

This book is outstanding! It will add immensely to your understanding of the Christmas story. Reading stories from this book has become a new Christmas tradition for our family!

Used for advent meditations, each chapter prepared by mind and heart for Christ's birth. First, it slowed me down - mentally and physically, putting into perspective the true meaning of Christmas. Each of the twelve encounters brought to life Christ's birth. Recalling the conversation between Gabriel and Michael, could have taken place today with the current state of our world. I am eager ot share this book with others - early gifts for next Christmas!

Used for advent meditations, each chapter prepared by mind and heart for Christ's birth. First, it slowed me down - mentally and physically, putting into perspective the true meaning of Christmas. Each of the twelve encounters brought to life Christ's birth. Recalling the conversation between Gabriel and Michael, could have taken place today with the current state of our world. I am eager ot share this book with others - early gifts for next Christmas!

These stories will make you think about Christmas in a different way. The stories are exceptional. The artwork is fabulous. The message is unforgettable. Praise the Lord!

I thought this story was a brilliant idea. The illustrations are colorful and funny. I think the humbugs will capture children's imaginations. Younger children might be trying to stay awake to catch humbugs now, instead of just Santa Claus.

Only problem I had with the book was at times the rhyming of the narration was a bit forced and so in reading it I lost the tempo and thus a little enjoyment.

Fun book for kids & adults. Enjoyable to read & a good reminder that the little vexations around the holidays don't have to ruin your Christmas spirit. I'm going to buy a bunch of these as presents.

This book is a delight! I purchased it for my grandchildren last Christmas (2004)and they couldn't get enough of it. "Read it again, Grandma!" They laughed, searched for the humbugs in the tree and examined each and every beautiful picture for hiding humbugs. I took it to read to my preschoolers at school and they giggled and paid rapt attention - not an easy feat with 3 & 4 year olds. I'd recommend this book for anyone - a small child or a grownup with a child's heart hidden inside - as a Christmas classic to treasure!

I bought this book at a writing seminar for teachers. It is a delightful Christmas story to share in your classroom or with your own children. The Humbugs are adorable little bug like creatures who try to test the strength of your Christmas spirit. It's about having Christmas spirit and how it can't be crushed because of the things it represents. It's a terrific and timeless tale!

Powerful story describing how the loss of a child brought a mother closer to her faith and God. Anyone who has experienced a significant loss or who seeks comfort and inspiration or knows someone who does, take the first step by picking up this book ... highly reocmmended.

Cecelia Leeman describes her painful journey to finding strength, hope and God after the death of her daughter on Christmas Eve. This touching, true story has helped and comforted friends of mine, who have also lost a child. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who may have experienced a loss and needs inspiration to find acceptance and peace of mind.

Christmas in Heaven echos the heartbreak, the gut wrenching reality of the pain a mother's loss of a child brings. Yet, Cecilia Leeman brings it into a gentle focus with her five-year journey in search for peace of mind and acceptance. A fine read that re-defines our being.

This was a spiritually powerful and inspiring story of a mother's jorney of faith driven by her love for her daughter. It was beautifully written and gave me a renewed sense of faith. It made me cry from the bottom of my heart and yet at the same time, gave me such a feeling of comfort and happiness to know that God is with all of us. This is a book that just bursts with faith and love.

Precious stories that will lift and warm your heart. I re-read them every year to stay in the spirit of Christmas. You will chuckle and nod in agreement at the actions and comments of the characters.

These two small books are nicely illustrated. Each book contains one very short, heartwarming story. (They can be read in about ten minutes.) The stories are enjoyable and well written. It's important that the buyer realizes that they are not novels, like the rest of the Mitford series.

We got the recipe and a wonderful book to read every Christmas to remind you what is important. Esther's Gift is very short but the perfect book to get you in the mood for Christmas. I will remember to read it every year!

I'm just a 32 yr.old Mom & wife, for now.,this is for the Baker at heart...
I'd heard of these books, but couldn't remember the titles , nor the author. When I finally figured out which books they were, and found the books, I orded the gift set, 'The Mitford Snowmen', and 'Esther's gift', for my self, just to 'try a few out', without buying the whole set. A friend said I'd love them, because I love to bake, and am also an avid reader. I love to try new and decadent desserts, to always top whatever my previous triumph had been. These 2 small books were a joy to read, and I am looking forward to reading all the others, as well as passing them on to other friends or family to read. Esther seems to be just like me, with all her worries, and her heart is always in the right place. I must say that I was a bit dissappointed at the short length of the books (they are only short stories), but I thoroughly enjoyed them. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, as I know that they are larger books. The Marmalade cake is GLORIOUS!! Never have I had any cake so wonderful. I recommend this to any woman who enjoys good, old-fashioned home-town stories; whom love to entertain, cook, and hear stories about the kind of characters we can all relate to.

Also recommended: Katherine Hepburn biography; 'Kate Remembered',any and all 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' books, all the Anne Rice trilogies,Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit. 'Taste of Home','Reminisce ','Cooking Light',&'Gourmet'magazine